Grower’s big plans to harvest the sun

Thursday 08 May 2014

One of Jersey’s biggest growers is splashing out on renewable energy but is calling for the States to do more to help local businesses go greener.

Trevor Le Brun is investing more than £50,000 in solar panels for his sheds at Homefields in St Clement, on what will become the biggest solar installation in the Island.

132 solar panels are being fitted next week which will power his fridges and on-site farm shop. He says the long term savings should help slash his electricity bills by around 60%.

He delivers fresh fruit and vegetables to around 250 hotels and restaurants in the Island every day, growing what he can locally and importing the rest.

Mr Le Brun has got plans to make his deliveries greener too and wants to invest in at least two electric vehicles but says there should be more help for people wanting to do their bit for the environment.

He said: “There is very little help from the States and no incentive to buy them at all, you get a plug-in grant in the UK for them, money off the vehicles and there should be help here.”

He said he could be starting a new twist on Genuine Jersey – producing home grown electricity!